Welcome to Wonderland

Memphis stared at Elliot throughout his entire ramblings, her mind almost immediately gravitating to her own thoughts, as opposed to actually listening to what the male was saying. She had spent enough time with him to know when she needed to listen to him, and when it wasn’t all that important; this time was one of the former. It took her a few seconds to realize when he stopped talking and she shook her head a bit, clearing her thoughts so she could focus on him again. “I gotta be honest–” she began, a small smile curling the edge of her lips, “I zoned out at pirates…” She sighed as she laid back in her chair, closing her eyes as she draped an arm above her head and over the top of the headrest. “That’s what I really need to spice up this trip. Some hot ass pirate coming here and sweeping me off my feet like one of those cheesy fucking romance novels.”

calliope found herself enjoying the ocean breeze as she walked the shoreline. it brought her back to a place of nostalgia, she always found happiness in the beach. there was something soothing about the water, how you could just get washed away, like the sand castles she used to build. coming across what looked to be a person drowning in the shallows, but before she could ask, elliot popped his head up, and a smile found its way to her face, “ever thought of scuba diving?” she teased, gesturing at his previous position, wondering what it was he was doing, prompting herself beside him in the sand, “you look like it” she nodded, “yeah, i love the beach, the water’s gorgeous, and i’ve eaten my weight in the island’s fruits”

“Oh that sounds fun! But no, I- haven’t really given that activity much thought. Why, do you like it? Exploring the depths of the ocean?” Elliot asked, rolling over on his back to feel the warm sun on his face. He still extended both of his arms behind him so he could feel the waves. “Oh yeah the fruit is super fantastically delicious!” Elliot agreed. “I had a super epic water balloon fight, too so that was amazing! And the sun is gracing us with it’s magnificence! And I bet the sky is the perfect shade of blue! And the water is just the right temperature! And everything is just-- paradise.” 

“Sure, because I always carry a cape around with me wherever I go, especially to the beach,” she said sarcastically. “That’s what photoshop is for! I can edit you to look even more kingly.” Well, it wouldn’t be perfect, but she could try at least. “No you couldn’t! No, I’m not like that. Or at least I try not to be.”

“I don’t know why you wouldn’t, capes can be very useful, Kenzie.” Elliot informed seriously- or as serious as he could be... which apparently wasn’t very since he couldn’t stop smiling. He took off his sunglasses, slipped them in his pocket, and posed for Kenzie to take the picture. He just figured it wouldn’t be very kingly to be wearing tacky sunglasses. “Nah, you’re not. You do a good job in-- succeeding not to be like that. But anyway, you wanted to swim, and I completely held you back! You can swim if you want! I don’t mind. I can get close to the water and shout so we can still talk if you want.” 

Slowly she brought her drink away from her mouth and set it down on the bar in front of them. ““Orange  juice?” Her brows raised curiously as she turned her body further to fully face the male by her side. ““Just orange juice? Nothing in it?”  Mackenzie was not an alcoholic by any means, but it was vacation so she didn’t see a reason not to start drinking in the morning. “I do have to agree with you though, everything does seem to be a little better here, doesn’t it?” This question was rhetorical. ““I’m Mackenzie by the way…I don’t think we’ve met before, at least not formally,” 

“Yupperz! Orange juice! Not apple juice... I was tempted to go with that, but-- decided that citrus was what I was feeling. Nothing in it except for the pure goodness of orange juice!” Elliot answered with a wide grin. “I’m Elliot. Nice to meet you Mackenzie!” His mind couldn’t help but drift to his friend with the similar name. “Is Mackenzie fine? Or do you have any nicknames or anything that you’d prefer to be called?”

At first, Finley was a little frightened by the body in the distance. As he got closer, he realized who it was and got a little more worried before he heard the refreshing sound of Elliot’s voice. “What are you doing out here? Just dipping your hands in?” He questioned continuing closer. 

“You betcha!” Elliot said, keeping his head lifted up off the ground... he didn’t realize how uncomfortable sand could really be against the skin. “I didn’t want to go swimming, but I still wanted to get the full island experience, you know?”

The balloon managed to hit Alex right in the stomach, causing him to bend over and let out a little “oof.” Still, he straightened up, picking up a balloon and throwing it in Elliot’s direction. “Your aim. Haven’t hit me above the chest, yet. I’m not giving in until you get a solid hit to the head.”

“Good,” Mia responded. Not like she thought he was dead, though in a place like this, where alcohol, drugs and water could be mixed up, wouldn’t be exactly a surprise. “You know, the waves may come back stronger than before– had you fallen asleep, you could’ve easily drown. Or you know, drink sea water. Which, wouldn’t have been nice.” Mia sighed and sat down next to Elliot. “I’m alright. The sun is way more mild than it was earlier. I can finally come out of my hiding spot.”

Elliot frowned a bit as she made her very logical warning. The thought of drowning always spooked him out... It wasn’t that he was afraid of water, obviously-- but his mother’s fear definitely rubbed off on him just a little bit. Elliot sighed and backed a way a little, opting to just sit and feel the water on his finger tips as it came. “What was your hiding spot? Did you make it? Like did you make a fort out of leaves and stuff?” 

“Exactly! And the only way to reverse it is to stay away from the water, but it’s just so inviting! The water knows what it’s doing and we fall for it every time.” She joked, as she mimicked his actions of splashing the water. A softer smile formed on her lips at his next words, and she almost opened her mouth to say that she felt the same way whenever she was around him, but he was scooting forward before she could say anything. She giggled as she watched him, moving forward herself in just enough time for her hair to get hit with the water. “I think the water wanted to say hello.” She joked, laughing. 

“Really now?” The balloon actually hit Alex’s thigh,  and he made a little noise of surprise - to be honest, he’d doubted slightly in Elliot’s ability to put up a good fight, but this meant war. Running over to pick up another balloon, he focussed on his aim better this time as he threw the balloon at Elliot. “Didn’t expect your aim to be that shit, yeah.”

Elliot’s excitement was infectious, as always, and she let out a delighted laugh as he splashed the water. She felt some of it hit her, but it was refreshing and she didn’t mind, because she was soaked already anyway from all of the swimming. “Um… I think? Actually, I have no idea, because I’ve never spent that much time in the water before, but I’m not willing to risk it. I don’t want to walk around looking all wrinkle-y and weird.” She joked, more laughter spilling from her lips. Though, she was already embarrassed enough wearing a bikini; she didn’t really want to make it worse by looking like a prune. “Amazing company? Well, I’m flattered, but let’s be honest, I’m the one who is blessed to be in yours! So thank you! Ooh, I’m all for living on the edge! I’ll edge closer with you!” 

“The way you are right now is good, with your hand on your chin and thinking deeply. I think you could never be the evil king type. You built this entire land with your bare hands! You’re the kindest king ever!” She giggled a little, preparing to take the picture. “Not really. People just focus on themselves a lot of the time and not other people. People can be awful, but not everyone is like that and that is the important part.”

“Oh okay-- Wait! Do you have a cape or something? Like a robe? That’s a king thing, right?” Elliot asked. When she delivered the clear compliment Elliot gasped and placed his hand over his heart. “Wha- I could be evil!” He protested, just joking around. “Oh. That’s a bummer... but you’re not like that! Which is why we’re such good pals, right?” 

“What cowards,” he agreed. “Oh you’ve been training? My whole life has been devoted to the art of water balloon fights.” Alex picked up a balloon, although he didn’t make as much effort to move around as Elliot did. It was in his interests for the fight to end early, after all - why make too much effort? Throwing the balloon, he made a face when it only hit Elliot’s foot. “Thought I’d spare you this time,” he muttered. “You’re welcome.”

She laughed, turning her camera towards Elliot. “Give me your most kingly pose!” Kenzie would definitely find out if it was possible to print her pictures that way so Elliot could enjoy them too. And if not, she would find a way to make it possible. “I mean, it’s not like there is a choice. It’s just all the ambient light of the city that blocks out the light from the stars. And most people don’t pay that much attention to the sky. They’re too focused on their phones or things right in front of them,” she explained.

“Umm-- oh gosh, um-” Elliot stood up and tried to channel his inner king, but he was feeling at a loss. “Kenzie help! I don’t know any kingly poses! And whatkind of king should I be? Should I be the kind that executes everyone? And be all like mwah-ha-ha-ha!! Or should I be a nice king who bakes and picks nice flowers? Hmmm...” He raised his hand to his chin and pondered deeply about it. Elliot frowned just a bit at the explanation that people didn’t even pay attention to the sky. All that Kenzie described it to be felt like it was so beautiful and magical... how could you look away from something so magnificent? “I guess that’s good too though... means they don’t walk into stuff when they’re looking at what’s in front of them, right?” 

Minnie had been in and out of the water the entirety of the day, and had decided to take it to the next level and venture toward the ocean. The pool was great, but nothing quite beat the ocean. She was edging closer to the water when she noticed Elliot, and a bright grin formed on her lips as she approached him. “Elliot!” she exclaimed excitedly, a laugh falling from her lips as she listened to him. “Liking it? I’m loving it! Although, I think I’m going to turn into a prune soon if I don’t quit jumping into the water every five seconds,” she joked. “I was about to jump into the ocean, but I think I’ll join you, if you don’t mind.” She said, though she didn’t wait for a response before laying down herself, perfectly aware that she was going to get dirty, but not caring because she could always wash off with the water later. 

“I think we need a distinguished photo of the founder of this kingdom. You should do something… royal. As the king of Elliotopia, we need a royal portrait of the creator and ruler of this magnificent land,” she declared with a laugh, shifting a bit to get a good angle of him for the picture. “Hey, do you know if they do braille portraits? Like, print out a picture and then put bumps or raised edges around the darker parts or outline of the subject? I feel like they should. I mean, I know it’s not the same as seeing a picture, but you could get a feel of it.” It was a random question, but she wanted to be able to share the memories with him. She smiled a little, looking up at the stars again before back over at her friend. Sometimes she wished she could ask him what she could do to make things better, if there was some way she could describe things that would give him a better idea of what he couldn’t see. But she didn’t want to upset him or make him feel like she pitied him. She just wanted to be able to share what she saw. “Yeah. It’s a bit different back home. In the city, you can’t see anything, but at school, you can see it a bit better.”

“Oh you’re so right, Kenzie!” Elliot exclaimed holding his head as if he was trying to keep his skull together after being so mind blown by how much of a genius she was once again. “Huh... I don’t know, actually.” He admitted, thinking if he had ever heard of such a thing. It didn’t seem to be so far off in the realm of possibility. “Sounds cool,” He commented, still thinking about it. “That’s probably good that you can’t see them in the city, right? Since all of the driving and traffic... I feel like I would just want to look up at the stars if I could see and drive, and then-- that wouldn’t be good. Because eyes on the road!” He said, pointing to nothing, just to emphasize his point.